Help for the Caretakers
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| Sun, 03-04-2007 - 7:26pm |
My husband was diagnosed with lung cancer in August of 2005. He has been on chemo nonstop ever since. I know that he is the one who is ill and I am fairly healthy but I just get so depressed with the whole thing. It's so hectic. There's so much more for me to do now around the house. I always did do most of the routine things but now I'm doing some of his chores too and even though I don't get physically tired, I get very mentally and emotionally tired. On some days I get depressed as soon as I get up. He's 80 years old and I'll be 70 soon. We both still work part-time even though we're retired. It's good for us in some ways. At least it takes our minds off of the whole situation.
He has a bad side effect from the chemo that causes pain in his feet. It's worse in the morning before he takes his Advil. I fix his coffee and then I hear him complain about the pain and I just don't know what to do for him. Last week he fell on the ice after our ice storm and with the problem that he has with his feet, I'm always afraid that he might fall again. This wasn't the first time. That's why I do more at home now. I try not to let him do anything that involves going up and down the stairs any more that he has to. At times I feel angry about the whole situation and then I get angry at myself for feeling the way I do. Do others feel the same way? I would like to hear from you.

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Mary,
It sounds like you have a full schedule to keep you busy! My mom would love to be an hour away. She is 11+ hours away but the nice thing is that when they do come for visits, they stay a week or so. And that means we get more time. I'd certainly like to be closer.
Do you have any Easter traditions you do with your children or grandchildren?
My family has loads of birthdays in April and May.
Yes, we do get together for Easter. We go to my son's for Easter and spend time with our grandchildren. We all go to church first. Then we go back to his house for dinner. My daughter-in-law likes to cook for Easter. Her mother is in an assisted living home and they pick her up and bring her home for Easter dinner. She also invites a couple of her friends. The best thing about is just being all together for the day. It's always so nice to be with family on Easter. I hope you have a wonderful Easter too.
Mary
Hi Philly,
What a shame that they live so far away. I don't blame you for waiting until July. How wonderful to be having another grandchild. You're lucky to have part of your family close by. My grandkids are not too close but at least we can see them each month. I just finished reserving a room at one of the Inns in our area. I'm planning a birthday party for my husband's 80th birthday on April 21st. I'm having our immediate families and a few of his friends. I'm looking forward to having my brothers and some of my husband's family and of course our grandchildren. It will be a nice gathering. I think he will be pleased.
Mary
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